The magic of every unforgettable story begins with a spark—the inciting incident. It’s the event that turns “everything is fine” into “everything just changed.” Without it, our favorite characters wouldn’t have adventures to embark on, mysteries to unravel, or challenges to overcome.
But what exactly is an inciting incident, and why does it hold such power? In this article, we’ll break it all down, from the core elements of this storytelling essential to examples that leap off the page or screen. Whether it’s Harry receiving his Hogwarts letter or Katniss volunteering as tribute, the inciting incident sets the stage for the action that follows.
Ready to dive into the turning point where stories truly come alive? Let’s begin.
What Is an Inciting Incident? – Inciting Incident Definition
In storytelling, the inciting incident is the pivotal event that knocks the protagonist’s life out of balance and sets the story in motion. It’s the moment that upsets the status quo, when the protagonist’s world turns upside down, and the story’s central conflict blooms as everyday life is grossly interrupted.
When the inciting incident occurs, your protagonist faces a choice: respond to this “call to adventure” or refuse, back down, and stick with their normal life. Without this essential narrative piece, the protagonist would have no reason to embark on their journey, and the story would lack momentum.
The inciting incident can take various forms depending on the genre and style of the story, but will always be there; whether it’s a crime story, an adventure story, a tragic romance like Romeo and Juliet or a Sherlock Holmes mystery, there will always be an incident that hooks the reader, gets the story moving, and lays the foundation for the conflict to come. It might be a shocking revelation, a sudden tragedy, a mysterious encounter, or a life-changing opportunity. Regardless of its nature, it should compel the protagonist to take action, set the stakes for the story, and hint at the overarching theme.
In short: the inciting incident is crucial to the narrative drive, and the overall plot structure, of your story because it’s what sets the story in motion.
Examples of Inciting Incidents in Popular Media
One of the best ways to get to grips with creating your own inciting incidents is identifying the inciting incident in other narrative works. Here, we’ll point out some specific moments across various media you might recognize.
1. Movies
The Matrix (1999): The inciting incident occurs when Neo receives a mysterious message on his computer, meets Trinity, and is offered the red pill by Morpheus. This event disrupts his ordinary life as a hacker and propels him into a reality-defying journey.
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977): The inciting incident that propels Luke Skywalker into the story’s central conflict is when he discovers the secret recording from Princess Leia, hidden inside of R2D2.
Chinatown (1974): The inciting incident arrives when private detective Jake Gittes is hired by a woman claiming to be Mrs. Evelyn Mulwray, who suspects her husband is cheating on her. Once Gittes completes the job, however, the real Evelyn Mulwray appears with legal threats in tow.
2. TV Shows
Breaking Bad (2008-2013): Walter White learns he has terminal cancer. This devastating diagnosis compels him to start manufacturing illegal substances to secure his family’s financial future, setting off a chain of moral and criminal consequences.
Stranger Things (2016-present): The inciting incident in the first season is the disappearance of Will Byers. His mysterious vanishing acts as the catalyst for the entire series, pulling the characters into a supernatural world.
The Sopranos (1999-2007): Hardened mob boss Tony Soprano begins to suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, leading him to seek professional help via a therapist.
3. Literature
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813): Mr. Bingley’s arrival at Netherfield Park introduces Elizabeth Bennet to Mr. Darcy and sets the romantic tension in motion.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien (1954): The inciting incident occurs when Bilbo hands down the ring of power to Frodo.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (2008): Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister Prim’s place in the Hunger Games. This act of sacrifice pulls her into a deadly competition that changes her life forever.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (1926): Roger Ackroyd’s dead body is discovered in his study, leading to the hiring of detective Hercule Poirot to root out the perpetrator.
One thing you might notice from these examples is that the nature of your inciting incident can come in two forms: causal or coincidental.
In a causal inciting incident, it’s a decision made by the protagonist (or intentionally made for them by someone else) that upends the protagonist’s life.
A coincidental inciting incident is, as the name suggests, an incident outside of the protagonist’s control—being in the wrong place at the wrong time, for example, or being a passenger in a plane crash that leaves them stranded on an island.
How the Inciting Incident Contributes to the Protagonist’s Arc
The inciting incident is not just a plot device; it’s a crucial moment that shapes the protagonist’s character arc. It introduces the central conflict, challenges the protagonist’s beliefs, and forces them to confront their fears and desires.
First, the inciting incident disrupts the protagonist’s status quo, forcing them out of their comfort zone as they attempt to restore balance. This disruption often reveals hidden aspects of the character’s personality and sets the stage for their growth.
For example, in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the inciting incident is when Harry receives his letter from Hogwarts. This moment shatters his ordinary world of neglect and introduces him to a magical world where he learns about his identity. In every subsequent installment in the series, a new inciting incident is introduced to interrupt the new status quo that was previously established—attempting, each time, to subvert or blindside reader expectations.
Second, it also introduces the story’s primary conflict, whether it’s an external threat, an internal struggle, or both. It creates a sense of urgency and establishes what’s at stake, placing huge pressure on the protagonist—and if there’s something we all know, it’s that people get (ahem) interesting under pressure.
As the adage goes, diamonds are formed under pressure—which, in storytelling and book writing, is to say that characters transform as a result of story arcs. The inciting incident often marks the beginning of the protagonist’s transformation. It forces them to make decisions that will shape their arc, whether they evolve into a hero, an anti-hero, or a tragic figure.
The inciting incident also often foreshadows the story’s climax and resolution. It hints at the challenges the protagonist will face and the growth they must undergo to overcome them. Whether or not the character will actually complete that growth and succeed in their mission remains entirely up to you… or, perhaps, to them once they come alive on the page.
Crafting a Compelling Inciting Incident in a Story
To craft a compelling inciting incident, consider the following tips:
1. Make It Personal
The inciting incident should have a direct impact on the protagonist. It should disrupt their life in a way that makes it impossible to return to the status quo.
For example, in Up (2009), the inciting incident is the death of Carl’s wife, Ellie. This personal loss motivates him to fulfill their shared dream and drives the plot forward.
2. Establish Stakes
You should clearly establish what’s at stake. The audience needs to understand the consequences of the protagonist’s choices.
In The Shawshank Redemption (1994), the inciting incident is Andy Dufresne’s wrongful conviction and imprisonment. The stakes are his freedom and his ability to retain hope and dignity.
3. Create a Sense of Urgency
The inciting incident should create a sense of urgency that compels the protagonist to act. It should feel like a point of no return.
In Spider-Man (2002), the inciting incident is Peter Parker’s decision to use his powers for personal gain, leading to his uncle’s death. This tragedy instills a sense of responsibility and drives his transformation into a hero.
4. Align It with the Story’s Theme
The inciting incident should align with the story’s overarching theme. It should introduce questions and ideas that the story will explore.
In 1984 by George Orwell, the inciting incident is Winston Smith’s decision to keep a forbidden diary. This act of rebellion introduces the theme of resistance against totalitarianism.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Delaying the Inciting Incident: Introducing the inciting incident too late in your story can cause the narrative to drag and lose the audience’s interest. An engaging story often needs a strong hook early on to capture attention, and delaying this moment risks losing narrative momentum. Aim to introduce the inciting incident within the first act of the story to maintain pacing and engagement.
Making It Too Subtle: The inciting incident should be clear and impactful. If it’s too subtle, the audience may not recognize its significance, which can lead to confusion about the story’s direction. A well-crafted inciting incident should be memorable and leave no doubt about the protagonist’s call to action. If necessary, reinforce its importance through dialogue, reactions from other characters, or symbolic imagery.
Failing to Connect It to the Character Arc: The inciting incident should have a direct connection to the protagonist’s journey. If it feels disconnected, it may not have the desired emotional impact. Ensure that the event aligns with the protagonist’s core desires, fears, or internal conflicts. For instance, if the character struggles with self-worth, the inciting incident should challenge that aspect directly.
Creating an Implausible or Contrived Incident: The inciting incident should feel organic to the story’s world and characters. If it comes across as forced or overly coincidental, it can break the audience’s suspension of disbelief. Ground the event in established story elements, making sure it arises naturally from the characters’ actions or the world’s circumstances.
Overloading the Inciting Incident with Too Much Information: Avoid making the inciting incident overly complicated or loaded with exposition. It should be a moment of action or revelation that sparks curiosity and sets the plot in motion. Save detailed backstory and world-building for subsequent scenes and other, smaller, impactful events. Instead, focus on creating a clear, immediate impact that leaves the audience wanting to know more.
Ignoring the Emotional Impact: The inciting incident should evoke an emotional response from the protagonist and, by extension, the audience. If the event lacks emotional weight, it may fall flat. Consider how the protagonist would realistically react to this life-changing moment and ensure that the emotional stakes are conveyed clearly.
Where Does the Inciting Incident Fit into a Story Arc?
Before the inciting incident occurs, the story establishes the status quo—setting the stage of the protagonist’s ordinary world. This world provides a baseline of normalcy, which helps the audience understand what’s at stake when the inciting incident disrupts it. The status quo might be mundane or even idyllic, but it contains inherent flaws or tensions that the inciting incident will bring to the surface.
Here’s a basic outline of where the inciting incident should appear and how it can drive the narrative forward. Most story structure frameworks, particularly three-act story structures, place this occurrence early on in the story. This outline includes options for a single inciting incident or multiple ones that escalate the conflict.
Act 1: Establishing the Status Quo
Introduce the protagonist’s ordinary world, including their desires, fears, and flaws.
Set up the central theme of the story.
Inciting Incident (Around the 10-15% Mark)
Introduce a disruptive event that forces the protagonist out of their comfort zone.
The protagonist may resist the change initially.
This incident should create questions that compel the audience to keep reading.
Option for Multiple Incidents
First Inciting Incident: A smaller event that hints at the larger conflict (e.g., a mysterious letter or a strange encounter).
Second Inciting Incident: A more significant event that escalates the stakes and forces the protagonist to make a choice (e.g., a death, a betrayal, or a life-changing revelation).
Act 2: The Reaction Phase
The protagonist grapples with the consequences of the inciting incident.
They may try to return to the status quo but find it impossible.
Midpoint Twist (Around 50%)
A major revelation or event that changes the protagonist’s understanding of the conflict.
- Raises the stakes.
Act 3: The Resolution
The protagonist fully commits to their new path.
The climax resolves the conflict introduced by the inciting incident.
The story concludes with a return to a new status quo.
Go Craft Your Call to Adventure!
The key takeaway when it comes to inciting incidents is this:
The inciting incident is “that” moment that radically upsets your protagonist’s everyday life and drives the plot into motion.
Whether it’s a mysterious message, a tragic loss, a dead body discovered, a natural disaster, or an act of rebellion, the inciting incident is the catalyst that upsets the balance and serves to hook the reader more deeply into the plot of a story.
Keep it memorable, meaningful, and aligned with the story’s core themes, and in no time you’ll have crafted a fantastic inciting incident of your own!
But if you ever feel lost about whether your inciting incident is strong enough, recognizable enough, and carries as much weight as it should, be sure to give AutoCrit’s Story Analyzer and Backwards Blueprint developmental editing tools a try. AutoCrit Pro members gain access to both of these incredible tools—plus many more—to plan, edit, analyze and break down your book’s narrative from every essential angle.
From speculative fiction and romantic comedy, to literary journies and emotional memoirs, AutoCrit is a home for all who seek to share their stories. Join today and feel the magic.
And while you think about some of your favorite inciting incidents, why not take a deeper look into further articles here on the AutoCrit blog? It’s packed to the rafters with writing tips, plus realistic and actionable writing advice to assist you with crafting and publishing a book you can be proud of.
